School Counselor Hourly Pay in San Buenaventura, CA: $46.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in San Buenaventura, CA runs $46.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,692 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against San Buenaventura's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $41.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,610 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For school counselors in San Buenaventura, the anticipated median hourly pay is set at $46.96, significantly surpassing the national median of $30.93. This competitive rate offers a robust income, especially for those operating on a part-time basis, such as working three days a week. In typical settings—ranging from elementary school guidance lessons to high school individual counseling and even college resource rooms—this hourly pay enables counselors to engage meaningfully with students. Entry-level professionals might start closer to $34.04, while seasoned counselors could earn up to $72.80 hourly. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, reflecting a broader trend of competitive compensation rooted in the region’s cost of living, which is above the national average.
About the San Buenaventura Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.04 | $272.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.24 | $305.91 |
| Median (P50) | $46.96 | $375.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.12 | $480.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.80 | $582.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Buenaventura
Based on $46.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.96/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Buenaventura, CA can expect to earn approximately $97,684 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,356. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Buenaventura.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Buenaventura
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,878.54 | $8,140 | $97,684 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,127.12 | $4,884 | $58,610 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $751.41 | $3,256 | $39,074 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (San Buenaventura) | $46.96 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.69 |
| Social Worker (National Avg) | $29.33 |
| Elementary School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.79 |
| Instructional Coordinator (National Avg) | $36.21 |
School Counselors in San Buenaventura, CA earn a median of $97,692 per year (2026 est.), which is 51.85% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.00% above the California state average of $96,725.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.96/hr = $58,610/year (purchasing power: $51,822).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,684/year (purchasing power: $86,369).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in San Buenaventura (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in San Buenaventura grew 12.8% from $40.80/hr (2019) to $46.02/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.93/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem school counselors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Buenaventura metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.05% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly School Counselor in San Buenaventura
Analyzing the part-time earning potential provides a clearer view of how school counselors in San Buenaventura can structure their finances. A part-time counselor working a 24-hour week at the hourly pay would take home around $58,675 annually, while full-time counselors can significantly benefit from consistent employment with benefits commonly found in K-12 districts. The per-diem landscape introduces variability: private college counselors operating on a per diem can charge upwards of $150-$400 per hour and can add substantial earnings during the extended school year. Differences in hourly rates are notable across various employer types, from public K-12 institutions to charter schools and private entities, leading many to assess the trade-offs between higher hourly pay without benefits and a stable salary with health insurance. Those positioned in roles such as DoDEA schools or post-secondary counseling are likely to encounter specific negotiation challenges, making it essential for school counselors to understand local pay dynamics in San Buenaventura while advocating for competitive hourly rates.
More salary data for San Buenaventura, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in San Buenaventura in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in San Buenaventura?
Are school counselors in San Buenaventura paid hourly or salary?
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Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in San Buenaventura?
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed.
Content Lead
Maria has over 10 years of experience in school counseling. She specializes in academic and emotional support for high school students. She works at a public high school in California.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for school counselors in San Buenaventura. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for San Buenaventura is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.05%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for school counselors (SOC 21-1012).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov